House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 7 January 1653

Friday, the 7th of January, 1652.

Prayers.

E. of Clanrickard.

MR. Speaker, by way of Report, acquaints the House, That the Earl of Clanrickard is come from Ireland; and shewed a Pass, under the Hands of the Commissioners in Ireland.

Ordered, That this Information given, touching the Earl of Clanrickard, be referred to the Council of State, to take the same into Consideration; and do therein as they shall think fit.

Correspondence with France.

Colonel Sidney reports from the Council of State, An Answer to be sent to Sieur De Bourdeaux: Which was now read.

Resolved, That the Word "persuade" be put in the Place of the Word "assure."

Resolved, That, instead of the Words "this Commonwealth," these Words be inserted, "the Parliament."

The Question being put, That these Words, "and Measure," do stand;

It passed in the Affirmative.

Resolved, That the Parliament doth approve of this Answer, so amended.

The Question being put, That this Answer be signed by the Speaker;

It passed with the Negative.

Resolved, That this Answer be signed by the Clerk.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Council of State, to deliver this Answer to Sieur De Bourdeaux.

Popish Recusants.

Resolved, That Mr. Lechmere and Mr. John Corbett do take care of the Bill, committed Yesterday, touching Papists.

Correspondence with Tuscany.

Mr. Speaker acquaints the House, by way of Report, That he hath received Two Letters, from the Grand Duke of Tuscany; the one dated the 7th of December 1652, the other dated the of : Which were opened: being in Italian, and the Translations of them in English.

Resolved, That both these Letters be referred to the Council of State, to take the same into Consideration; and hear the Publick Minister from the said Grand Duke therein; and to report their Opinion therein to the Parliament.

Printing.

Mr. Millington reports Amendments to the Act against scandalous and unlicensed Books and Pamphlets: Which were twice read.

The humble Petition of Major John Harris was this Day read.

The humble Petition of Wm. Bentley, Printer, was this Day read.

The Question being put, To agree to the Proviso in the Amendments, in these Words; viz. "Provided always, and be it Enacted, That this Act, or any Matter, Clause, or Thing therein contained, expressed, declared, or mentioned, shall not extend, or in any wise be construed to extend, to the Impeachment, Annulling, Diminution, or Prejudice, of the Title or Interest of Robert Barker the younger, and all claiming under him, to the sole Printing of the translated Copy of the Bible, commonly called the New Translation; but that the said Interest of, in, and unto the Premises, is and shall be saved to those to whom the same doth or shall belong; and that the same shall and do hereby stand ratified and confirmed, notwithstanding this Act, or any thing therein contained;"

It passed with the Negative.

The Question being put, to agree to this Proviso, in the Amendments; viz. "Provided always, and it is hereby Ordained, That the Council of State for the Time being, be, and they are hereby, authorized and required to set a moderate and reasonable Price upon Bibles unbound, or any Part thereof that shall be printed apart in any Volumes, as also upon all other Books and printed Papers of publick and common Use;"

It passed with the Negative.

A Clause was tendered to this Act, in these Words; viz. "And be it further Enacted and Declared, That the Agent for the Army for the Time being, instead of the Secretary of the Army formerly appointed, shall have Power to license such Intelligence as may concern the Affairs of the Army only, under the like Rules and Directions as are contained in the said Act of September 1649:" Which was read the First and Second time; and, upon the Question, agreed unto.

A Clause was tendered to this Act, concerning the Punishment of Hawkers: Which was read the First time; and, upon the Question, laid aside.

A Clause was tendered to this Act, "That no Books, after the same are searched, should be seized, or taken out of the Possession of such Persons as are employed in the Printing or Keeping thereof, by the Master and Wardens of the Company of Stationers alone, unless the Books be scandalous, &c.: Which was read the First time; and, upon the Question, laid aside.

The Question being put, That this Bill be ingrossed;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

So it passed with the Negative.

Resolved, That this Act do pass as a Law.

Ordered, That this Act be forthwith printed and published.